Traveling Trunk Program

Bring history to life

The Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum offers a Traveling Trunk Program to help bring history to life in schools, libraries, other museums, or youth groups.  Each trunk focuses on a specific war and contains an assortment of items—original or reproduction—that would have been commonly used by soldiers during that time in our nation’s history.  The contents of these trunks can be used for research, exhibition, or as a hands-on educational resource that piques student interest in history by engaging them in object-based learning.

Trunks are available for the Civil War, World War One, World War Two, and the Vietnam War. Scroll down to “What’s in the Trunk” to see contents.

Trunk FAQs

How do I reserve a Traveling Trunk?

Download and fill out a Traveling Trunk Loan Agreement form.  Then mail it to the museum, fax it, or scan it and send as a PDF attachment in an email.  The agreement form must be received at least two weeks prior to the desired date of use.  Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.

How long can I keep a trunk?

Trunks are loaned for three weeks, inclusive of shipping.  Upon request, they may be renewed for an additional two weeks if the renewal does not conflict with other scheduled requests.

What does it cost?

Trunks are available free of charge.

How do I pick up and return my Traveling Trunk?

Two-way shipping may be available through the state’s inter-library loan courier system (Minitex). This means that your trunk can be picked up at a cooperating library nearby and returned to the museum in the same way.  Call or email us to see if this option is available to you.  Borrowers may come in person to the museum to pick up and return a trunk during regular museum visiting hours. 

What are my responsibilities?

As borrower, you must agree to return the trunk by the due date.  You are also responsible for its care and security while in your possession.  You are not liable for wear and tear of trunk contents as a result of normal use, but you may be held accountable for any damage or loss that occurs due to abuse or neglect.  Please read these Procedures for more information.

When you are finished with the trunk it would be helpful to us if you completed a Post-Use Survey.

What’s in the Trunk?